In the autumn of 2023, the community of Hammond, Louisiana, was filled with concern over the disappearance of 52-year-old Stephen J. Cottier. He was last seen on October 13, 2023, at his residence in the 14000 block of Piedescalzo Lane. On that day, he had plans to travel to the northern Covington area to collect money from a friend. The following day, October 14, he communicated with a friend via text message, stating he was on his way back to Hammond from Covington.
His last known phone call was made at approximately 6:17 p.m. that evening. Tragically, Stephen never made it home and has not been seen or heard from since. At the time of his disappearance, he was known to be driving a blue Ford F-150 pickup truck with the Louisiana license plate number Z517286.
The search for Stephen began with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office leading the investigation. They reported that he might have been seen on Highway 40 in the Uneedus area, near the border of Tangipahoa and St. Tammany parishes. It was also suggested that he may have passed through Independence, Louisiana. As the investigation continued, a reward was offered for any information that could lead to his whereabouts. In a heartfelt plea for public assistance, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office later increased the reward to $5,000.
Stephen Cottier was a cement truck pump operator with aspirations of starting his own business. His sudden disappearance left his friends, family, and community with many unanswered questions. The circumstances surrounding his case remain unsolved, and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Stephen Cottier is urged to contact Detective Alex Nanni of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office at 985-902-2017. The case serves as a somber reminder of the lasting impact a missing person has on a community, as the search for answers continues.Last Seen: Oct 14, 2023
